There were actually two crashes on the interstate just minutes apart involving three personal automobiles and three commercial vehicles.

The two men who died were trying to help the people in the first crash.

"It's probably in my 17 years one of the worst accidents that I've actually seen on the interstate as far as the totality of everything that was involved," said Maj. Jason Rice with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office.

About 11:40 a.m., Rice said a produce truck parked in the shoulder of I-64 was clipped by a semi driver who wasn't paying attention.

That caused the tractor trailer to go across both lanes and into the median, taking another car with it.

While emergency crews were on their way, two witnesses of the crash, 33-year-old Jamaal Wood, of Louisville, and 71-year-old Charles Burtt, of Virginia, sprung into action.

"Those people were playing the Good Samaritan role. They were coming out to try to help in any way they could. Unfortunately, you can't hardly do that on the interstate, its just so dangerous out here," said Rice.

Investigators said Wood and Burtt each pulled off in the left lane of the roadway and were standing on the pavement when they were struck by another semi.

For whatever reason, Rice said that second big rig didn't slow down with the flow of traffic, braking after it was too late.

"The semi was traveling in the slow lane, veered to the fast lane and in doing so lost control and went into the guardrail and the guardrail kind of pushed it down into those pedestrians," said Rice.

Rice says the interstate can be one of the deadliest places in the commonwealth.

He encourages people to stop and help others in need as long as they do it safely.

"You've got to be very conscious that other vehicles are still running at 75 to 85 mph out here, so anytime you stop, get off the road as far as you can, get as much distance between you and the actual roadway if you're going to stop and render aid," said Rice.

There were no other injuries in either crash.

Rice said they will hand over the details of the investigation to the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office to determine if any criminal charges will be filed.